Ohio school district blocks 12-year-old girl from playing football

Mother considers legal action after daughter is barred from playing football for Liberty Union

Sep. 4, 2013

Seventh-grader Makhaela Jenkins stands above the practice field Thursday at Liberty Union High School as seventh- and eighth-grade boys begin football practice in Baltimore. Makhaela, 12, practiced with the team for two days before school officials said she was not allowed to play because she is a girl. / Matthew Berry/CentralOhio.com

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CentralOhio.com

BALTIMORE — Makhaela Jenkins’ dreams of game-winning catches ended before the first snap of football season.

It wasn’t injury that derailed the 12-year-old’s ambition, it was the fact she was a girl. After practicing with the Liberty Union seventh-grade team for two days this past week, school officials barred her from playing.

“I don’t think it’s fair,” Makhaela, who also goes by Max, said Thursday. “People should be able to play no matter what their gender.”

Her mother, Anjee Jenkins, said she is considering legal action if Liberty Union-Thurston Local Schools officials do not change their decision.

“I still plan to fight this as far as I can,” Jenkins said.

“I’m not giving up until there is no hope left.”

Makhaela went to football practice Aug. 5 and played as a wide receiver. Jenkins said about 90 minutes into practice the next day, Makhaela was told she could not play anymore.

Superintendent Paul Mathews said the district considers football and wrestling contact sports and has the right to prohibit girls from participating in them.

“Title IX requires us to offer equal opportunity for boys and girls,” Mathews said. “We offer a menu of sports so all can participate. We feel students are better off when they are involved in extracurricular activities.”

He said the district has limited resources but provides opportunities for all boys and girls to participate in sports. He said there are golf, soccer and cross country teams for boys and girls this fall, but football only is for boys and volleyball only is for girls. Mathews said a boy would not be allowed to play on the volleyball team.

Although Mathews said he cannot speak for the board of education, he said he doubts its members will change the decision at the Sept. 9 meeting. Board members could not be reached for comment.

Jenkins said the experience has left her daughter with a broken heart.

“I can definitely tell there is a shift in her,” she said. “Now that it’s been in the news, she’s picked up a lot of support. But the board has been pretty firm on its decision. She’s been positive, but worried.”

Jenkins said Makhaela would be happy playing on an all-girls team if one were available.

The case has drawn the attention of the American Civil Liberties Union, which called the action unacceptable and unlawful.

“This school is using outdated and untrue stereotypes about gender to decide who participates in athletics,” said Jennifer Martinez Atzberger, ACLU of Ohio senior staff attorney. “Federal courts in Ohio have made it clear since the 1970s that if a girl wants to play football, and there is not an equivalent team for girls, she must be allowed to try out for the boys team.”

Makhaela is no rookie; she played football in fifth and sixth grades and flag football before that. She also plays basketball and softball.

“Football is an inspiration for me,” Makhaela said. “It lets other people know you do what you want to do. It doesn’t matter what people think of you.”

There are girls who play on Fairfield County football teams. Fairfield Union Athletic Director Matt McPhail said there is a girl on that district’s eighth-grade roster. He also said girls have played football before this year without any problems.

“The experience seems to be a positive one for them,” McPhail said. “Of course, it’s unique. But there have been no issues, at least from my time frame, and I’ve been here five years now.”